Mantua PTA Programs

Academic Competitions not only encourage students to delve deeper into their favorite subjects, but facilitate creative team-building activities that ultimately promote resourcefulness, self-confidence, problem solving and leadership. A September info meeting regarding academic competitions is held in the fall for primarily parents. Email academiccompetitions@mantuapta.org if you have more questions.

Boy Scouts Troop 1533, chartered by Mantua PTA in September of 1967, follows the principles of a boy-run troop and operates by the patrol method, welcoming fifth through twelfth grade boys. The troop believes in an environment where scouts can learn and have fun at the same time. Email boyscouts@mantuapta.org for more information or click HERE and then “Contact Our Troop” to join.

Chat'n'Chew, welcomes students in the third through sixth grades and meets from December to March once a month. The series of parent-guided discussions offer our young readers a way to share books, experiences and feelings with one another, while providing an enjoyable and easy opportunity to build and develop literacy skills. Four books, chosen in consultation with the librarian and reading specialist, are provided as part of the program. Click HERE to register. Email chatnchew@mantuapta.org for more information.

The Community Building Network, a committee of ambassadors each representing his or her culture, helps parents/guardians of every culture become part of Mantua ES’s larger volunteer community and contribute to our school’s rich learning environment through annual events and ongoing services. Heritage Night, for example, celebrates Mantua ES’s cultural diversity and brings families together through food. Translators are another vital part of our outreach efforts. We want every Mantua ES family to feel included and connected—should families need to have a document translated into their native language, our volunteers are here to help! Email cbn@mantuapta.org for more information.

Cub Scout Pack 1533, chartered by the Mantua PTA, is fun for boys and girls, kindergarten through 5th! Scouts learn by doing: Do you know how to tie a square knot and set up a tent? Can you build a model race car, plant a tree, or save a bee? Have you ever cooked a meal on a campfire? Sent a secret code to a friend? Built a birdhouse? Hiked in the woods? Not only will you learn these things in Cub Scouts, you'll earn rewards for them! Email cubmaster@pack1533.org or visit pack1533.org for more information.

The Mantua PTA Student Directory is our printed school directory, which contains phone numbers, addresses and email addresses of many of Mantua ES's families as well as a school telephone directory and other important school information. Parents are asked to update their contact information with the school by October 15 if any changes have occurred. Participation is voluntary, though the majority of parents opt to include their family's information in the directory as it is a key resource for parents, students and faculty throughout the school year. Each PTA member receives a directory with membership, so join HERE today!

Mantua ES's Drama Club provides a wonderful opportunity for third through sixth grade students to cultivate a love for the stage! We are thrilled to partner with DramaWorks again as we continue to invest in the growth and development of our drama students! Students are immersed in every stage of the production process, learning about each aspect of putting on a play. Students interested in acting will audition, rehearse and perform a full-length musical or play for family, friends and fellow students. Fifth and sixth grade students interested in working behind the scenes will work with a technical theater teacher to learn about building sets, designing costumes and making props. Tech students will also work backstage during the play itself, learning about lights, sound and house management. Connect online with fellow thespian-families on our Facebook group page HERE. Email drama@mantuapta.org with additional questions.

Mantua PTA, in partnership with Baroody Camps, seeks to build upon our students' educational foundations by offering classes in various areas of interest including art, music, STEM, sports and more! Sessions are held in both the fall and spring and classes usually run 7-9 weeks. Click HERE for current course offerings. Email enrichment@mantuapta.org with additional questions. Email enrichment@mantuapta.org with additional questions.

Mantua PTA's closed Facebook group allows parents to build a sense of community with each other online in endless ways by asking questions, sharing information, welcoming new friends, giving thanks and offering help. Click HERE to join our group and stay up to date on the latest at Mantua ES. Email facebook@mantuapta.org for more information.

Mantua PTA hosts a series of Family Fun Nights each year. Admission to the family-oriented, Friday-night activities is generally free, though children must be accompanied by an adult. Past professionally moderated socials include Pokemon Night, Lego Night, Comic Book Night and Magician's Workshop. Other fun evenings on record include a Valentine's Day dance, ice skating and a kids book and toy sale. Email familyfunnights@mantuapta.org for more information.

Do you have a passion for gardening or an interest in learning with people who do? Mantua's Garden Committee enhances and maintains multiple gardens for the enrichment and enjoyment of the students, teachers, staff and community. Our Courtyard Garden, uniquely located in the center of our school building, is currently home to a vegetable and pollinator garden. Our newly expanded Discovery Garden and Pollinator Row, located by the school playground, is a certified Schoolyard Habitat and Monarch Waystation. New features include an outdoor classroom seating area, a children's digging garden and sensory garden. We also maintain the flower beds and planters at the school entrance. Whether you want to lead the next big garden project or help pull weeds in your free time, we have a volunteer role for you! Timing and commitment is flexible. Email garden@mantuapta.org for more information.

Girl Scouts help girls discover the fun, friendship and power of girls together. Girls grow courageous and strong through a myriad of enriching experiences, such as field trips, sports skill-building clinics, community service projects, cultural exchanges and environmental stewardships. Girl Scouting helps girls develop their full individual potential; relate to others with increasing understanding, skill and respect; develop values to guide their actions and provide the foundation for sound decision-making; and contribute to the improvement of society through their abilities, leadership skills and cooperation with others. Girl Scouts are grouped by age: Daisies (kindergarteners and first graders), Brownies (second and third graders), and Juniors and Cadets (fourth and fifth graders). Email girlscouts@mantuapta.org for more information.

The GLOBAL PLUS program will not offer classes during the 2020-21 school year. Please watch the newsletter in the spring for an interest survey.

Mantua PTA offers extracurricular world language classes through FCPS's GLOBAL PLUS Language Program. The goal of the GLOBAL PLUS program is to offer high quality language classes to elementary students when they are at the optimal age for language acquisition. The GLOBAL PLUS curriculum delivers a strong focus on communication. This focus will provide children with skills to establish meaningful connections as they become GLOBAL citizens of our diverse yet interconnected world. Email globalplus@mantuapta.org with questions.

Mantua PTA's Hospitality Committee hosts numerous events each year, like our Welcome Back Breakfast for teachers and staff that kicks off the new school year and May's Teacher Appreciation Luncheon when we thank teachers for all of their hard work. The committee also supplies refreshments for PTA meetings. Food donations are always welcome! Email hospitality@mantuapta.org for more information.

Join Kids Care Club and help others in our community through student volunteerism! The club meets after school once a month starting in October for a series of projects, from making blankets and care packages for needy children to hosting a year-end Food Drive. Email kcc@mantuapta.org for more information. Click HERE to register.

Mantua PTA News, our school's weekly newsletter, provides information on the latest school and PTA-sponsored activities and events. Click HERE to subscribe if you aren't receiving your copy by email. You'll also find issues in the What's Happening section. A paper copy of the newsletter is sent home via the oldest child’s Tuesday Folder each week for families without email access; click HERE to request to be added to this delivery format.

PTA chairs and other parents involved in the facilitation of Mantua ES student activities may submit information to be included in the newsletter by completing this form. Please note: to allow Mantua ES Administration time to review and approve the newsletter before distribution, submissions must be received by Friday at 6 p.m. to be included in the following Tuesday's issue.

All Mantua staff and parents are invited to join us for a series of talks covering a range of educational and parenting topics through Mantua PTA's Parent Education Seminar Series. Past speakers include child development authors and experts on relieving homework struggles and building resiliency. If you have ideas for speakers or topics, or for more information, email parenteducation@mantuapta.org.

Mantua's Photography Club invites students interested in photography to participate in periodic photo field trips to develop skills. Email photoclub@mantuapta.org to join the mailing list or with questions.

Mantua ES’s Raccoon Runners is a positive youth development program for third through sixth graders, empowering them to be true to themselves through lessons in positive body image, health and nutrition and social awareness. Raccoon Runners are strengthened over a 10 week period through various fitness activities while training for a 5K run. Runners meet in the gym on Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Registration fee includes a t-shirt, snacks after each practice and race registration for your runner. Click HERE to register. Email raccoonrunners@mantuapta.org for more information.

The National PTA Reflections program is designed to enhance arts education by providing an opportunity for students to explore their artistic talents and receive positive recognition for their efforts. The program has six arts categories (dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography and visual arts) that students may choose to express their reflections on the year's theme. Click here for more info and to register. Email reflections@mantuapta.org if you have questions.

Mantua's School Spirit Committee provides potted plants and flowers, seasonal items and various other creative décor to lift our school spirit! Volunteers are always welcome! Email schoolspirit@mantuapta.org for more information.

The Mantua Science and Engineering Fair is an opportunity for students to be creative, gain experience in the scientific method or engineering process, and present to peers and judges. Students in K-6 may participate solo or with a friend. Projects can be a traditional science or engineering type, or a show-what-you know. Mantua's 24/25 Fair is planned to be Friday, April 4, 2025, in the evening. Top projects advance to the regional NVSE fair (a Saturday in late April/early May).
Visit our info page for more information, registration, and volunteering. Competing or not, mark your calendar to view our students' awesome projects! Email sciencefair@mantuapra.org for more information.